Management for Health and Social Care Online Degree Pathway

Examine the structure and organisation of health and social care services within a national context, including the roles of the NHS, local authority social care, and the independent and voluntary sectors. The unit introduces the legislative and regulatory frameworks governing adult social care, including the Care Act 2014, and explores the values and ethical principles — dignity, autonomy, person-centredness — that underpin professional practice in the sector.

Develop understanding of the key principles and practices that support individuals to live well and safely in health and social care settings. The unit covers communication strategies for a diverse service user population, person-centred and personalised care approaches, the boundaries of safe practice, and professional conduct standards. You will apply these principles to case-based scenarios representative of adult social care environments.

Analyse the concepts of health and ill-health through biomedical, social, and psychological lenses, and examine how socioeconomic determinants such as poverty, housing, and employment influence health outcomes. The unit introduces students to public health data sources and research literature, developing skills in interpreting health statistics and understanding how health inequalities are measured and addressed at a population level.

Map the career pathways available within health and social care and develop the skills to plan and manage your own professional growth. The unit introduces continuous professional development (CPD) frameworks, reflective practice models including Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, and the principles of coaching and mentoring others. You will produce a personal development plan relevant to your current or intended role in the sector.

Explore the practical and strategic dimensions of managing resources in health and social care organisations, including staffing, budgets, equipment, and time. The unit examines how care managers and team leaders prioritise competing demands within constrained resource environments, drawing on commissioning principles and procurement guidance. Case studies from both NHS and independent care sector settings are used throughout.

Trace the historical development of public health policy in the UK from the Victorian sanitation reforms to modern population health strategies such as Making Every Contact Count (MECC). The unit examines the principles of health promotion as defined by the Ottawa Charter, evaluates current public health challenges including obesity, mental health, and antimicrobial resistance, and considers the role of health and social care workers in promoting community wellbeing.

Investigate the socioeconomic, political, and cultural forces shaping health and social care provision today. The unit examines debates around integrated care systems, the ageing population, digital health technology, and the impact of austerity on service capacity. You will analyse how these issues influence policy development and frontline practice, building the analytical skills needed for evidence-based management decision-making at degree level.

Examine the theoretical and ethical frameworks underpinning positive behaviour support (PBS) for adults in health and social care settings. The unit addresses the principles of functional assessment, the development of person-centred behaviour support plans, and the legal and ethical requirements around restrictive practice under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and NICE guidance. Applications to dementia care, learning disability, and mental health services are explored.

Develop the analytical and leadership skills required to manage change effectively within health and social care organisations. The unit examines the drivers of service change — regulatory requirements, technology, policy reform, and service user feedback — and applies established change management frameworks including Kotter’s 8-Step Model and Lewin’s Force Field Analysis to real-world health and care contexts. You will evaluate a recent change initiative and propose improvements.

Analyse the flow of information and knowledge within health and social care organisations, and develop strategies for overcoming communication barriers across multidisciplinary teams. The unit covers formal and informal communication systems, the impact of digital communication tools on workplace culture, and techniques for conducting effective reviews of organisational communication. Practical skills in delivering presentations, writing reports, and facilitating meetings are developed.

Design and carry out an independent research project on a topic of your choice within health and social care management. The unit guides you through formulating a research specification, selecting an appropriate methodology, collecting and analysing data within agreed ethical and procedural parameters, and presenting your findings in a structured report. This unit develops the academic rigour and independence required for degree-level study and evidence-based professional practice.

Study the principles and practices of managing people effectively within health and social care organisations. The unit covers organisational structure and culture, approaches to performance management, the management of diversity and inclusion in the workforce, and methods for developing staff through supervision, appraisal, and training. You will apply these frameworks to analyse how a specific team or service manages its human resources and propose development recommendations.

Develop the knowledge and skills to lead safeguarding practice within a health or social care service. The unit examines statutory safeguarding frameworks under the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the responsibilities of Safeguarding Adults Boards, and the manager’s role in reviewing, developing, and implementing safeguarding policies and procedures. Case-based learning develops your ability to respond effectively to complex safeguarding concerns.

Examine the legal, strategic, and cultural dimensions of equality and diversity management in health and social care organisations. The unit draws on the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty, and explores how leaders can embed inclusive values in recruitment, service design, and team culture. You will critically evaluate an organisation’s approach to equality and diversity and develop recommendations for improvement.

Analyse how health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, is implemented in care settings. The unit covers risk assessment processes, the management of workplace incidents, infection control protocols, and the monitoring and review of health and safety performance. You will examine how health and safety requirements balance regulatory compliance with the dignity and rights of service users.

Consolidate your professional identity and plan the next stage of your career development as you prepare for degree-level study and management roles. The unit develops your capacity for self-managed learning through reflective practice, encourages you to take ownership of your continuing professional development, and builds the interpersonal and transferable skills — critical thinking, communication, and self-regulation — that underpin effective leadership in health and social care.